“I didn’t think this day could get any better, but it just did,” she says as we walk up to where our bridesmaids are waiting. Shea and Aria are standing with me, and Rosa and her cousin Tosca are standing with Gia.
“You are the most stunning brides, and those twins are lucky bastards,” Frankie says, earning a frown from the priest standing to one side of the inside door. The main church doors are locked to keep the large crowd outside from gate-crashing. New York society and the media have had a field day since we announced our engagements and double wedding. Hundreds of well-wishers line the streets around the cathedral, and security has been massively ramped up for the day.
Rico steps around me, offering his arm to his daughter. Joshua is the oldest twin, so we decided Rico and Gia would walk with their bridal party first and then we’ll follow. “Ready,tesoro?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She turns to look at me. “See you up there, sister.”
Mom and Frankie trade beaming smiles.
“Love you,” I say, stepping back as the music starts and Gia steps through the door into the church.
“I’m proud of you,” Dad says a few minutes later when we get into position. “I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect daughter.” He softly kisses my cheek. “Your mother and I wish you and Caleb every happiness for the future, Elisa.” Tears gleam in his eyes. “I’m happy you got your man.”
“Me too, Daddy.”
The orchestra starts up our song and I lift my head, clutching Dad’s arm tight as we step through the doors. Our guests are on their feet, every head turned in our direction as we make our way up the aisle, followed by Aria in her pretty pink dress and Shea in a different style dress made in the same material.
The smile on my face is genuine as I walk toward the love of my life, and even though the walk seems long, because the cathedral is huge, it isn’t uncomfortable. I find I don’t mind the attention. Seeing so many smiling faces only adds to the surge of emotion bubbling in my chest.
I look ahead, seeing Gia and Joshua watching with large smiles on their faces, before I switch my attention to my beloved. Caleb is wearing his emotions on his face, and I have a sudden urge to lift up my dress and race toward him. Somehow, I compose myself though Daddy chuckles when my steps quicken.
Caleb looks so hot, so fuckable, so gorgeous, in his custom-fit tuxedo. His hair is neater than usual but still in that messy style I love. His eyes twinkle with love and warmth, and he is all I see as we approach. Our eyes remain fixed on one another as Dad guides me toward the other man in my life.
“You are so beautiful, Lili, I can hardly breathe,” he says when we arrive.
“Take care of our girl, Caleb,” Dad says, guiding my hand to Caleb’s.
“With my life, Alesso.” They share a nod before Dad steps back to take his seat.
“Hi.” I beam at my intended. “You are literally my every fantasy come to life, Caleb Accardi, and I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be marrying you.”
“Sure you don’t want to ditch him for me?” Cristian grins as he tries to wind my fiancé up.
“Sorry, Cristian. I’ve only had eyes for this one since I was eight.”
“Some best man you are,” Caleb teases, pulling me in close to his side.
Cristian had previously agreed to be Caleb’s best man, so Joshua asked Vittus to be his. Rowan and Giulio are their respective groomsmen, keeping it all in the family.
“You are breathtaking, Lili. I love the dress.” Clear admiration shines from my groom’s eyes, and I bask under the glow of his attention.
A throat clearing reminds us of where we are. Holding hands, we turn and face the altar the same time Gia and Joshua do.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”
The ceremony flies by, and most of it goes over my head because I’m so fixated on my love, and he is all I see. Gia and Joshua make their vows first, and when the bishop pronounces them man and wife, we join the congregation in applause. Caleb whistles as Joshua dips his bride down low, passionately kissing her as the crowd whoops and hollers.
Then it’s our turn.
We hold hands and lock eyes as we exchange rings and recite the formal vows before adding our own. My voice projects around the large cathedral from the small mic attached to my dress as I speak first. “I fell in love with you, Caleb Accardi, the moment I met you when I was eight. It didn’t matter it wasn’t appropriate for a little girl to daydream about a teenager five years older than her, or to doodle his name all over her schoolbooks, or to paint drawings of Parisian proposals and lavish weddings, because I always knew. In my heart, I always knew you were the other half of my soul.” Oohs and aahs ring out around the congregation.
My heart feels so full as I stare at the only man I have ever loved in this way. “I can’t explain how I knew, but that truth was always there. It took some time to find our way together, but when we did, it only confirmed what I have known for most of my life. We were always meant to be. You are the man I want to share my life with. The man I want to raise a family with.” I almost choke over those words knowing how happy he’s going to be when I tell him. “The man I want to grow old with. Being with you completes me, Caleb, and I promise to love you every day for the rest of our lives. I am honored to be your wife.”
Ignoring tradition, Caleb leans in and kisses me. It’s tender and full of emotion and it melts my heart.
“We haven’t gotten to that part yet,” the bishop quips, and our guests titter.
We break our kiss, and Caleb stares adoringly at me as he states his vows. “I have adored you, Elisa Salerno, from the first moment you entered my life as a vivacious, inquisitive little girl who loved to follow me around like a faithful puppy dog.”
